How to Be an Employment Lawyer

Employment law is always subject to change, so employment lawyers have to constantly keep up to date with the legal developments in the field. An employment attorney represent clients, be they employees or employers, in work-related conflicts and also sees to it that all contracts and agreements fall within the legal framework. In order to work as an employment lawyer, you must have the drive to constantly learn as well as good communication and negotiation skills.

1. The first step toward a career as an employment attorney is going to college and getting a Bachelor’s degree. Law schools do not place a lot of weight on your college major or minor, but having in view that you will have to deal in part with economic issues and the job market might lead you to choose a major in economics. Try to get good grades, as this will reflect positively in your application file for law school.

2. Most law schools choose applicants by looking at their LSAT scores. The Law School Admission Test provides law schools with a standard measurement of candidate’s skills and abilities as they relate to a career in the legal system. Extracurricular activities and recommendations from teachers will help, but a good LSAT score will increase your chances of admission significantly.

3. Pick a few law schools you’d like to attend and send in your applications. Take care to meet the deadlines and include all the necessary papers. Most law schools have websites and provide prospective students with all the information they need regarding curriculum and the admission process.

4. Admission to law school translates into three years of hard work. You will have to learn about the basics of the legal system, but you’ll also have the chance to focus on your interests. An employment attorney has to deal with several areas, including family leave issues, retaliation cases, discrimination, harassment, severance pay disagreements and non-compete agreements. Take all the courses that tackle these issues and cover both sides of the law—that is, those dealing with the employee, and those dealing with the employer.

5. Take a summer internship and get involved in extracurricular activities. Doing so will benefit your resume and your chances of getting a job once you graduate.

6. Obtain your JD degree and contact the bar association in your state to register for the bar exam. This will prove one of the most difficult examinations you’ll ever take, so don’t take it lightly. You will receive your license and be able to practice law once you pass.

7. Some law firms specialize in employment-related cases. Find those law firms in your area and get a job as an employment attorney.